Dictionary policy

Find out what our policy is about using a dictionary in your exam.

English dictionaries

You are not normally allowed to take an English dictionary into an examination room. An English-English dictionary will be available in each multiple occupancy examination venue and may be used for reference purposes by all students (EXCEPT those taking examinations for the Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice). If you have modified assessment provisions and are in your own room, however, you'll be expected to provide your own English dictionary if required, which must be a clean copy subject to checking by the reader/invigilator.

Exceptionally, the following groups of students may use their own mono-lingual paper English-English dictionaries:

(a) Students with modified assessment provisions, provided there is a recommendation for use of a personal dictionary from Disability Services. The dictionaries must be clean copies, subject to checking by invigilators.

(b) Students undertaking Modules ELC100, ELC100B, ELC200, ELC200B, ELC300, ELC300B, ELC301 which are designed for non-native speaker students wishing to further improve their level of English. There will be no requirement for these dictionaries to be checked by invigilators.

Modern languages examinations

(a) The use of monolingual, bilingual or other dictionaries for the language being studied is not normally permitted. Any exceptions to this will be clearly stated in the rubric, and in those cases it will be your responsibility to provide your own dictionary.

(b) Exchange students from other countries may use a bilingual dictionary which goes between English and their mother tongue (but not the language being studied), or a monolingual English dictionary. For the purposes of this regulation the term "exchange student" refers to students from institutions in other countries who are studying on a double award programme and who will graduate with a qualification from their home institution and an award from the University of Plymouth. If you are an exchange student then it is your responsibility to provide your own dictionary.

(c) In order to be able to use a dictionary at a modern language examination you must obtain a signed certificate specifying your name, module and the type of dictionary permitted. You'll need to ensure that the certificate is displayed on your examination desk for checking by the invigilator.

Please be aware that dictionaries can be checked by invigilators and that they may be confiscated for the duration of the examination if they are found to contain extra notes, marginalia, etc.